I didn’t think I needed mandalas in my pet-focused world – turns out, I was wrong. Maybe ‘need’ is a strong assertion. ‘Enjoy’ is more accurate. I enjoy occasionally colouring mandalas in adult colouring books (affiliate link), and I like filling in a plastic ‘slow feeder’ like mandala from SodaPup, a company offering fun colourful practical pet products (affiliate link)

This post contains links from affiliates such as Amazon and/or Chewy online pet supply store.

Creating aesthetically pleasing mandala feeders for my pup is a fun way to wind down on a holiday afternoon in September, as I discovered. Labour Day weekend for me is about staying at home with the pets before gearing up for work the next week.

I decided to spend part of my Labour Day holiday being creative with my dog’s SodaPup mandala slow feeder tray. (affiliate link).

Benefits of Mandala Fun

Apparently, colouring or creating mandalas engages the brain in a way that calms the nervous system. It invites focus, quiet reflection, and helps anchor people in the present moment. My pup lives in the present moment, especially waiting for treats.

I’m trying to be more like my dog, living more focused on the moment.

According to brief internet research, mandalas are believed to foster a sense of balance and wholeness. Their circular symmetry resonates with the human psyche’s natural desire for harmony. Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, believed mandalas symbolized the inner self and used them in therapy to help people achieve personal growth and emotional clarity.

Dog Mandala Enrichment

I doubt Jung used mandalas as dog enrichment activities, but here we go. Getting creative with mandala-designed dog slow feeders was my version of achieving day off clarity.

Here’s the first attempt that included two types of kibble, dried beef lung, peanut butter (no sweetener such as Xylitol or birch sugar) and a paw shaped cookie from a pet festival vendor.

Technically, the first one was visually pleasing and fun to do, but not very colourful. My pup is not an ‘eat the rainbow’ kind of canine; she’s not fond of fruits and veggies. Even as a slow feeder, it kept her less occupied than I hoped.

Next time (not the same day), I tried again with less calories … and included a Glandex with peanut butter in the middle. Glandex (affiliate link) is a supplement designed to help dogs with anal gland issues. Gland issues are common in spaniels, and I’ve had my pup on Glandex (affiliate link) for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference.

Get Your Dog a Mandala Enrichment Feeder

For my dog and I, today, this was a fun activity. But if you have a dog that gulps down their meals, this mandala might help. Slow feeders encourage dogs to eat more slowly, reducing choking and bloating risks.

Plus, mentally stimulating pets by turning mealtime into a puzzle, helps alleviate boredom and anxiety. What do you know? There are some psychological benefits of mandalas for the dog too. Maybe Jung would approve.

If you want this enrichment feeder, or any other enrichment toy, feeder, or mandala, for your own dog, please check out our SodaPup affiliate by clicking the banner ad below. Canadian customers can save some postage by finding the SodaPup slow feeder mandala here (affiliate link).

Writer bio: Sherri Telenko has been a professional writer for decades and a travel writer for the last two. She’s a member of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) and Dog Writers Association of America and travels almost weekly with her canine companion, Victoria. Contact Sherri at dogtrotting.net here. All written content is original, written by a person, and based on experience and research. Please subscribe!